The saying goes, There is nothing more obnoxious than a reformed ____[fill in any appropriate word]." While this may be a cruel and unjust generalization, you have probably experienced a real-life case. Take the food faddist, for instance: three weeks of eating nothing but nuts and figs, a condescending smile, and an unasked-for lecture directed at a companion across the table who has made the sorry mistake of ordering a cup of coffee. (Or even a bowl of yogurt - "mucus-producing, you know.") What good will it do you to put perfect food in your body if you use your knowledge to alienate yourself from the love of others?

While this may be an extreme example, it helps to make some important points on the subject of moderation and balance in the area of foods, diets, and nutrition in general. Here, as in many other areas, the key words are patience and compassion. Making radical changes in a very short period of time will more often set you up for failure and disappointment, and it can also upset your system enough that you temporarily feel worse instead of better. So take slow steps, reward yourself for your satisfying changes, and love yourself for being non-compulsive when you choose to break your regimen.

Realize that because something works for you now, it may not always. Neither is it necessarily the remedy for someone else.

Keep in mind that your body has an amazing resiliency; it can tolerate just about any foods or beverages for a limited time or in small amounts. So try to restrain your tendency to set unrealistic demands on yourself, like "I'll never eat candy again."

Whatever you do, attempt to do it with awareness. As long as you've chosen to eat that apple or that piece of cake, please enjoy it in the process. The reward for a well-balanced and more conscious lifestyle is the realization of high-level wellness.

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